Still Want To Play?

by Raven Rae

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2026

Reviews

[Joey Escalante · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thankful for the opportunity to read this book. Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me. I had high hopes and was excited for the premise of a Halloween stalker novella. The clipped and repetitive writing style and the lack of depth in the book made me lose interest fast. I wish we knew more about the characters, and I wish there was some more that happened between being stalked and Ellie letting Ambrose in. If I’m being honest, I was bored throughout the read. :(

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3½ stars.

It wasn't terrible, at all. But it was kind of boring. I kept waiting for the excitement, but there just wasn't any. I'm glad it wasn't any longer. Character development was lacking as well. I didn't really vibe with the writing style. And it was a bit repetitive.

[Shantel Armantrout · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy for my honest review.

I was really expecting some intense stalker vibes and some spice. I felt like it fell short a bit. I was hooked into the first chapter but then felt like it dragged a bit. Like the FMC was bold enough to proposition the MMC without knowing his name but when he met up with her at the coffee shop she seemed annoyed. Like she couldn’t make up her mind if she wanted him or not. Some of the storyline was unrealistic but the conversations they had were repetitive and clipped at times. The MMC never really gave any thoughtful responses in my opinion. Him being a professional stalker kinda ruined the vibe. I do think the book has potential. I appreciate getting an ARC copy :)

[Skye Watt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Raven for creating this book, this is the first time reading a book by them so I wasn’t sure exactly what their writing style was like.

For me I was excited by the blurb and the tropes in Still Want To Play when I went into reading this Novella but unfortunately I feel like this book wasn’t capturing my attention as much as I was hoping to after the first few chapters now let me explain my thoughts and feelings.

The friendship between Ellie and Tasha was fantastic, the way they looked out for each other was something many people would love to have but there was times she treated her like she was a young child who couldn’t make decisions for herself and I felt like this hindered the relationship a little when it come to Ellie finding and spending time with someone she likes as Tasha for me come across very judgmental but this is my opinion.

I loved the masked men trop and love the first set of interactions between Ambrose and Ellie and the way their relationship was formed through this stalking of her, I love the way he protects Ellie and how he is always asking for content though out the book.

But for me the biggest thing that brought this book down was the constant back and forth of the same repetitive conversation, I’m not to sure if it was to show Ellie was really in control but I felt like we missed something that could have been amazing like real conversation to help get to know the characters in more depth as I would have loved to know more about Ambrose as he brought information about Ellie in but we know nothing of him and this for me made it hard to gel with the characters.

So over all I didn’t hate the book, I enjoyed reading it and getting to know the story and characters but I just wanted a little more.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your ARC team for this book.

[Heather Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐
2-2.5/5🌶

TW's include but are not limited to: stalking, graphic violence (on-page fighting), blood, possessive behavior, PTSD, explicit sexual content (a few open door scenes & tasteful); there may be more but these are the big ones.

I really liked this book even though it's a short read, usually shorter books have an extremely fast paced romance & I instantly like the book less (I like insta-love, insta-attraction, etc., but only when it's written well).

Ellie (FMC) went to a masked sex party with her bestie & had a couple of encounters with a couple other attendees. Ellie was instantly drawn to one (she propositioned him but was interrupted) and essentially told the other to f*ck off. She starts seeing a very attractive tall man everywhere she goes, finally put together that she was being stalked, & then confirmed he was the masked man she propositioned at the party. Ellie seems to be extremely well regulated, emotionally & mentally, which I love.

Ambrose (MMC) had never stalked anyone before (but he's really freakin good at it) Ellie; he was obsessed. He wants to be with her & protect her. He fights off a side character that intended to harm Ellie (another stalker from the party) at least twice, makes sure she gets where she needs to be (watches over her), he continuously kept telling her that if she says stop then everything stops; that she has the power. Ambrose seems to be extremely well regulated, emotionally & mentally, as well (minus the stalking). I really like how the author wrote Abrose's dialog, it's very concise & honest.

It is a great quick read. It has the little bit of spice, suspense, some action, & a happy ending.

I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Tanni Hambidge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the idea and went into it expecting to enjoy the dark, obsessive romance between Ellie and Ambrose. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite work for me as much as I’d hoped.

As a novella, it’s understandably a very quick and focused read, but I found the story quite repetitive in places. There were a couple of moments where I genuinely thought I’d accidentally gone back a few pages because a conversation felt so familiar, only to realise that a very similar interaction was happening again with slightly different wording.

I also found myself wanting a little more character backstory. I would have liked to learn more about Ellie and Ambrose as people outside of their relationship, and I think a little more of the surrounding characters and plot would have helped me become more invested. (For example fox mask.)

That said, I did love the central plot I can see this appealing to readers who enjoy a short, trope-heavy dark romance with an obsessive love interest.

It just wasn’t quite enough for me personally, and I found myself wishing there was a little more story and character development beneath the central romance.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this as an ARC.

[Cassi Olazabal · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Reader
I was actually very excited about receiving this as an ARC. Dark Romance with Halloween themes.
It had a lot of potential, but the execution didn't land.
2.5 to 3 stars is probably the exact rating range I would give this. It wasn't exactly that dark a romance. Sure there was stalking and "violence" but it is a far cry from most you might find in the dark romance section.
It seemed like some of the conversations just repeated over and over. Ellie asks the same things to Ambrose.
Tasha is a very overprotective friend , to the point it is annoying. The count downs she gives Ellie seems more like a mother would give a child. Yes she is a friend meant to care about her, but it could have been handled differently. Not to mention the countdowns, especially the twenty minute one. It seemed like twenty minutes kept being repeated over and over. Then after what felt like longer then twenty minutes, then it was ten minutes.
This book was frustrating at best. I finished it and did not DNF it. Though it was rough, especially with the constant repeating dialogue and events. The supposed conflict didn't even feel like a conflict really had momentum really.

Had potential (thus the rating) though did not successfully stick the landing.

[Samantha Flory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short read, but I liked that the romance didn’t feel rushed. The pacing worked really well, and there was a great mix of romance, suspense and action.

Ellie meets a mysterious masked man and soon discovers that he’s much closer than she realised. Ambrose is intense, mysterious, protective and completely focused on Ellie. I really liked how direct and honest his character was, and his dialogue was definitely a highlight for me. 👀🖤

I also enjoyed Ellie as a FMC. She was strong, level-headed and handled everything thrown at her really well.

The suspense surrounding the other stalker added another layer to the story and kept me wondering what was going to happen next.

For a shorter book, this packed in plenty of suspense, tension, action and romance without feeling too rushed.

Definitely check the content warnings before reading.

[AJ Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those stories that leaves you on edge, but you're not exactly sure why. The threat lingers in the air, yet at the same time, you're hoping it comes to fruition. Ellie just wanted to be seen. Ambrose, however, is probably not the eye she wanted to catch, but it is the one she did.

"The difference between flirting and an agreement often depended on whether the other person intended to remember."

“I’m not the only thing in the dark. I’m just the one standing between it and you.”

"The red flag and the rescue had the same fingerprints."

"... You tend to specialize in creating the circumstances that require reassurance.”

[whatmrsdobbsreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still Want to Play by Raven Rae ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“To everyone who has ever wanted to play a game with a masked stranger…”
Now THAT is an opening line! 👀 And yes… you had me immediately!
There is just something about a masked man that pulls me in, and Raven Rae clearly knows exactly what the feral mask lovers of the world want! 🖤🔥
This novella was the perfect little filler read — short enough to devour in a day, but still giving me everything I needed to keep those pages turning.
And to answer the all-important question…
Yes. I STILL want to play! 😏
Well done, Raven, for giving all of us masked-man lovers a little something to feed our obsession! 🖤🎭🔥

[Daria · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it became real
Honest to a T no matter the consequences. She dared with bold words,he accepted with continued presence.
She named it what it was and nodded to the truth. He gives her the barest of bones, while she cant deny his old knowledge of her likes.
Being there at just the precise moments. Be it the raging weather, a stalked violence or a sip of caffeine. He took notice and she gave him compared logic.
This is a burn up your kindle story, its more slow and giving. More to be see and be seen.

[Katherine Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was gripping and had a great gothic Halloween vibe.
I loved how she made Ambrose so honest about who he was and what he was doing… even if it was questionable. He made Ellie bold and courageous which is everything you want in a dark romance book.

I did want Ambrose to take charge a little bit more, the constant back and forth of “tell me to stop” “okay stop” was frustrating to read but that was 100% the idea of their story.

Friend Tasha just needed to back off ever so slightly and let her girl actually have 5 uninterrupted minutes!!

[Mikaela Ellesjö · Rating 4 out of 5]

🖤 my review for Still want to play 🖤


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶


This book was so different from what I usually read and I really enjoyed that!
First book from this author but I'll certainly check out her other books!

The banter was so good in this book and the MMCs comebacks were amusing. You have to read it to understand. It is a slow burn with a protective MMC!

The writing was perfect and so descriptive and I really loved that! It was a fast read and it kept me captivated throughout the entire book. I liked both MCs !
A bit mystery/Halloween vibe. Highly recommend reading this book.

[Heathersreadingbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨✨✨✨ARC Review✨✨✨✨
Thank you Raven Rae trusting me with an arc of Still Want to Play
When a story starts: “To everyone who has wanted to play a game with a masked stranger” you know it is going to be good
If you like masquerade balls and slightly unhinged men then this is the book for you
Raven Rae knows what her readers wants and completely delivers
This was my first book by this author but will not be the last
Check your trigger warnings
Expect:🔥stalking/ surveillance🔥morally grey MMC🔥masquerade🔥obsession🔥
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kiera · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed watching Ellie grow throughout the story into a strong, independent woman. Ambrose was such a mysterious character.
I liked the push and pull between them, especially the way he gives her rules but also gives her choices.
Ellie knows she should run from the man who sees too much and wants too much, but she finds herself questioning where obsession becomes protection, where fear becomes trust, and when the game she started becomes something she never wants to end.
A dark, mysterious read with plenty of tension and an interesting character journey. 🖤

[Chelsey Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

I typically love masked stalker tropes. This did not deliver on other areas though. The back and forth repetitive dialogue was annoying. There was absolutely no depth to any conversation. Also, I didn't know anything about Ambrose in terms of background and that was strange. The best friend was a bit much with the constant "I'll give you five minutes." Don't get me wrong you should send your location to your friend but it was as if she was treating her like a child.

[Kaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, but there were a few things that kept me from loving it. It was off to a really good start and immediately caught my attention, but as the story went on, I found some parts to be a little repetitive.

I really enjoyed the Halloween setting and atmosphere. it was such a fun backdrop for the story! 🎃🖤 However, I did feel like certain parts of the book were a bit rushed, and I would have loved to see some moments and character development explored in more depth.

[Kayla Patcyk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited to read this one as I felt the synopsis had a sort of Haunting Adeline feel to it, which made me eager to read. The overall storyline was good, but I felt as though the conversations between the characters were very clipped and rushed and awkward. Like others mentioned, there was not a lot of depth to the characters or the story. I just wanted more normal conversation and more pushback on the female character’s part and just overall MORE.

[Escape-Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advanced copy from Author

I loved the friendship between Ellie and Tasha and had many laughs at their correspondence via text. She was borderline BFF stalker lol
Ambrose is unlike any stalker I have read, his honesty, the way he needs to hear her say everything and for her to give her consent.
I finished the book wanting more of Ambrose, I would have loved reading his back story.

[Saffron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off great and really hooked me from the first word on the promise of something dark and twisted however I found it a bit repetitive at times and lacking I would have liked some back story or insight into the characters, it was a good story just a bit lacking for me , but I did enjoy it overall . Thank you for the Arc copy .

[Queenkool6 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly I am really disappointed in this book. I understand my comprehension decreased a lot with being sick but there was so much repetition “I know” “yes” every other page. The communication between the characters was just severely lacking where it got to the point I was struggling to finish is. The story was good overall. My main set back was how the characters communicated

[Danielle Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one started off really strong for me but quickly I realized that even as a short novella it was still to long and could have been much shorter. Already introduced conversations and interactions would get re-worded and said again to take up space and make it longer. Otherwise could have made for a great read over all

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 3.5 for me. This is a Halloween dark romance novella that just missed the mark for me. I love a good masked man, staker, touch her and die story and this was almost there but just left me wanting me. I did not enjoy our FMC friend and found her annoying thought out the story. I enjoyed the banter but still wanted more of a story about our characters.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting take on a stalker romance. Ambrose is the most honest stalker I have ever read. He will tell the truth no matter how bad it may make him look. Even though he is her stalker he is all about her consent. This love story was so fun to read about!

[Gaja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely an interesting plotline, however I wished there was a bit more to Ambrose's background, I missed finding out more about him and his life before he met Ellie. Also, Tasha needs to back off from time to time, because oh my god🤣

[Leanne Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea behind the book but I felt that it kept going around in circles and they kept repeating themselves. I did like how Ellie started making decisions for herself and how Ambrose would listen to Ellie most of the time.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. But it just did not meet my expectations. I missed some background about the characters. I really wanted to know more about the characters. But that is my thing. I loved Ambrose though. The best friend not so much. Overall it was an oke read.

[Anna Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got an advanced reader copy of this.

I enjoyed reading. I hope if the author rights another one following this there is a little more back story on the characters. Over all I really enjoyed reading it.

[Jen]

If you're into masked balls with slightly unhinged men, this is your book.

[Nicole Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the story wasn’t as dark as I expected. Felt like was repetitive at times. Could have been some more character development. But good story